Official Borbonius Anthias Thread

[The Fish Finder]

I have noticed a few people getting these fish. But there is still little information and everything is scattered all over the place. So i decided to start a official thread dedicated to these fish. Please use this thread to post pic's of yours. To offer info you have learned about them. Both positive and negative. Where you got yours from if you wish to share. And any info that will be usefully about these great fish.


I myself have two of these great barbs. There both on the small side because that's what i requested. About 1 1/2 inch each. I picked them up about two month's ago from a local pet store here on the island. The name of the store i got them from is Country Critters. My two barbs currently live in a 22G pod and will be there till they grow to 2 1/2 then they will be ready for the 150G display. I have noticed there is a little aggression towards each other at feeding time and a established picking order. They are fed mysiss shrimp dipped in garlic extract. I've also noticed that they are fast growers. Mine have grown about 1/2 inch in two months (feedings twice a day) Here are a few pic's of min and other's that i had the honer of taking pic of.


Here are my two babys 2"
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y253/jpp118187/FIsh%20Pics/IMG_0791.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y253/jpp118187/FIsh%20Pics/IMG_0792.jpg


A friend of mine barb that's 3"
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y253/jpp118187/FIsh%20Pics/IMG_0741.jpg


Full grown 4 1/4" beauty
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y253/jpp118187/FIsh%20Pics/IMG_0890.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y253/jpp118187/FIsh%20Pics/IMG_0889.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y253/jpp118187/FIsh%20Pics/IMG_0888.jpg

[SDguy]

Nice fish! Is the adult an established specimen, or also new?

[The Fish Finder]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11998469#post11998469 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SDguy
Nice fish! Is the adult an established specimen, or also new?

The adult came in about a month ago to a local fish store here on the island. He is not sold yet do to the price being so high but eats everything that hit's the water and gets along with hit tank mates from what i saw the two time's i saw him. They received two of them that were the same size. The other one had a swim bladder issues and didn't make it more then a few day's. I have herd quite a few of them have come in like this due to improper collecting. I did get a pic of him also.

Here's a pick of a Borbonius Anthias with a swim bladder issue.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y253/jpp118187/FIsh%20Pics/IMG_0873.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y253/jpp118187/FIsh%20Pics/IMG_0871.jpg

[giller]

I wonder if this is a supermale of some sort, absolutely awesome

http://www.bishopmuseum.org/research/treks/palautz97/fish1.html

I dont know how to post pictures, if someone would be kind enough hehe

- Dave

[JHemdal]

That's a shame about the fish with the gas bladder problem that died. Barring any secondary infections, you can sometimes solve this problem by re-compressing the fish to 1 atm in a chamber and then releasing the pressure slowly over 12 hours or so. I built a 4" clear PVC tube with caps and valves that I've used with some success. As expensive as these are, it might be something to try.
There may be other ways to decompress these anthias after-the-fact. I saw a picture from a Japanese supplier of a bucket full of Sacura anthias (from around 50 m) all floating at the surface like so many bright red corks. They were fishing for them with hook and line! They must have a technique to solve that problem as they said they got 85 of them rehabilitated and ready for sale.

JHemdal

[myerst2]

Many fish with decompression issues will work it out on there own as long as it is not being harassed by other tank mates. Also I have heard inserting a small needle into the swim bladder to release the air. One of my friend who is a collector in Hawaii has done this successfully with Bandits, Declevis, etc. I have a Borb that I picked up about 10 days ago and he is tough fish for an anthias. He has some tough tank mates and feeds quite aggressively. Acclimated much better than any other anthias I have seen. Also it has been very easy to keep weight on this fish and doesn't look emaciated like many other captive anthias you see. Here's a few pics of mine. Regards, Tim

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg22/myerst22/IMG_3690.jpg
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg22/myerst22/IMG_3685.jpg
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg22/myerst22/IMG_3591.jpg
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg22/myerst22/IMG_3568.jpg

[The Fish Finder]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11999997#post11999997 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JHemdal
That's a shame about the fish with the gas bladder problem that died. Barring any secondary infections, you can sometimes solve this problem by re-compressing the fish to 1 atm in a chamber and then releasing the pressure slowly over 12 hours or so. I built a 4" clear PVC tube with caps and valves that I've used with some success. As expensive as these are, it might be something to try.
There may be other ways to decompress these anthias after-the-fact. I saw a picture from a Japanese supplier of a bucket full of Sacura anthias (from around 50 m) all floating at the surface like so many bright red corks. They were fishing for them with hook and line! They must have a technique to solve that problem as they said they got 85 of them rehabilitated and ready for sale.

JHemdal


Thanks for that info JHemdal. That was very informative. I wonder the japanese supplier did to get them all good.

[The Fish Finder]

myerst2: your little guy is looking great. How big is he?

[BangkokMatt]

Simply stunning anthias

[LargeAngels]

They are showing up more frequently now.

Even on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/Blotchy-Anthias-SUP-R-A-R-E-Live-Saltwater-fish-coral_W0QQitemZ150222205026QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item150222205026

[takayan]

They are coming from Indonesia not from Japan.
In Japan, their price is around $1,000.

By the way, I got two of them recently. They are so beautifull.

[JHemdal]

Takayan,

Sorry for the confusion - the Japanese fish I mentioned were Sakura anthias - a different species, but with some of the same husbandry issues.

Jay

[takayan]

Jay,
Oh! I misunderstood what you mentioned. I am sorry too.

Sakura anthias is not popular in Japan. I do not know why.
If they are in shop, my friend told me that their price may be around $100.00.
In US, they are very expensive.

[ezcompany]

can someone elaborate on swim bladder issues? does it only happen after it was initially shipped after collection for being poorly decompressed? can stress "reintroduce" it?

i got a fish where the store said none of the fish had decompression issues, but when i received it, the fish was floating in the bag swimming in circles. the bouyant part seems to be the stomach area.

[achillesheel]

i got a pair from phishy and they are doing great. ate the first night. they are currently in a separate tank in line with rest of my system until i can get one up for just them. are you guys keeping them in your reefs?

[The Fish Finder]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12005983#post12005983 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LargeAngels
They are showing up more frequently now.

Even on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/Blotchy-Anthias-SUP-R-A-R-E-Live-Saltwater-fish-coral_W0QQitemZ150222205026QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item150222205026

That one doesn't look like it's going to be alive for very long :( . Very bad coloration and looks like it got beaten to death.

[The Fish Finder]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12006272#post12006272 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by takayan
They are coming from Indonesia not from Japan.
In Japan, their price is around $1,000.

By the way, I got two of them recently. They are so beautifull.

Do you have any other pic's of them other then the one in your avatar?

[The Fish Finder]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12010351#post12010351 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ezcompany
can someone elaborate on swim bladder issues? does it only happen after it was initially shipped after collection for being poorly decompressed? can stress "reintroduce" it?

i got a fish where the store said none of the fish had decompression issues, but when i received it, the fish was floating in the bag swimming in circles. the bouyant part seems to be the stomach area.

From what i have been told it comes from being collected poorly. And from the pressure change when it is shipped in the airplane it causes the fish to get like that. I am not to sure if i am right. Will someone please FYI us.

[The Fish Finder]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12010881#post12010881 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by achillesheel
i got a pair from phishy and they are doing great. ate the first night. they are currently in a separate tank in line with rest of my system until i can get one up for just them. are you guys keeping them in your reefs?


I keep mine in my reef pod. The pod has t5 lighting so it's not to bright for them. Watter temp is kepted at 72. They are very happy in there. Once they grow up a little more i will move them to my 150G. Do you have any pic's of yours?

[takayan]

I will post other one tonight. The one is around 2".

[ezcompany]

72 degrees? I know they are deeper water but can you post some info on this?

[tobasdad]

I have lots of customers who keep them in warmer reef tanks.
It just takes them longer to get active and spend more time swimming.

Lots of luck with them.

[takayan]

I maintain the temp below 74 because I have Bandit angel and Tiker as well as Borbon.

[ahoyhoy239]

how much do these fish normally go for in the lfs?

[tobasdad]

Around here, they run $350 and up

[The Fish Finder]

$250-$400 depending on where u live

[cl2ysta1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12017382#post12017382 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Fish Finder
From what i have been told it comes from being collected poorly. And from the pressure change when it is shipped in the airplane it causes the fish to get like that. I am not to sure if i am right. Will someone please FYI us.


think of it this way. the fish have to put so much air in their swim bladders when they are deep in the water. if you had a balloon with so much water, and put it way down in the water the pressure of the water would push on the sides. so these fish fill up with more air than they would need at lower depths. WHen they are brought up to the shallow depths. they have all this air fromt eh pressure and it expands b/c there is less pressure. We have this happen often will walleye and sheephead we caught for an aquarium i worked at. Some fish can burp the air up *catfish etc* these fish cannot. soooooo you have to do something called "fizz" the fish. Basically you stick a needle from a syringe in the fish under water. the swimbladder will fizz. This releases the excess air for them and allow them to swim normally. this heals up what seem slike almost immedietly and if the needle is clean and this is done in the correct spot we've never lost a fish to it. we have however lost fish to NOT fizzing them. you have to have a knowledge however as to where the swimbladder is located on different species of fish or you risk puncturing internal organs

[cl2ysta1]

i meant air in the ballon and not lower depths .. but shallower depths

[takayan]

Here is one from Liveaquaria.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/530/68575SmallHolanthiasBorbonius.JPG

[Kinetic]

they're so funny looking, in a good way =) thanks for sharing your pics!

[The Fish Finder]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12022130#post12022130 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cl2ysta1
think of it this way. the fish have to put so much air in their swim bladders when they are deep in the water. if you had a balloon with so much water, and put it way down in the water the pressure of the water would push on the sides. so these fish fill up with more air than they would need at lower depths. WHen they are brought up to the shallow depths. they have all this air fromt eh pressure and it expands b/c there is less pressure. We have this happen often will walleye and sheephead we caught for an aquarium i worked at. Some fish can burp the air up *catfish etc* these fish cannot. soooooo you have to do something called "fizz" the fish. Basically you stick a needle from a syringe in the fish under water. the swimbladder will fizz. This releases the excess air for them and allow them to swim normally. this heals up what seem slike almost immedietly and if the needle is clean and this is done in the correct spot we've never lost a fish to it. we have however lost fish to NOT fizzing them. you have to have a knowledge however as to where the swimbladder is located on different species of fish or you risk puncturing internal organs


Thanks for the FYI. So That means they are shipping the fish already floating in the bags from the collectors? If that's true they should be banned from collecting because a practice like that shouldn't be practiced.

[ezcompany]

so..........where exactly would one put the needle in?

[Ventralis321]

I wouldn't do it if you're not experienced. It can cause serious damage if you don't do it properly. If you must, use a really thin needle. Some divers use diabetic insulin syringes. It's small and you can let the air into the tube instead of exposed. After you should treat your fish in a quaratine with some antibiotics. Furazone light works well. Still I would advise against the whole thing.
Fish can readjust themselves over time depending on the severity.

[cl2ysta1]

yes i'm not suggesting this to anyone unless its a matter of your fish dying. swim bladders are different for every fish. some are on the side by the lateral line, some more towards the anal vent. I honestly dont know where it is on this fish but b/c they are coming from such deep depths.

[ezcompany]

my friend is an acupuncturist, maybe i should ask her :D
j/k of course

[myerst2]

Reefermadness must really have an exceptional Borbonius for sale. $1200.00. I think he's smoking tooooooooooooo much reefer!!!!!!!!!! http://www.reefermadness.us/Holanthias-borbonius.263.1902.3.htm Regards, Tim

[cl2ysta1]

phishy business has a bunch in! my fiance was just in there. he said they were pretty nice lookin!

[SDguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12028532#post12028532 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by myerst2
Reefermadness must really have an exceptional Borbonius for sale. $1200.00.

:eek2:

[The Fish Finder]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12029685#post12029685 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SDguy
:eek2:

x 2

[flameangel88]

Is there any distinctive difference between the male and female borbonius? If yes, does anyone have a picture of the female borb?

[ezcompany]

i don't know the difference between male and female, but there seems to be two types, the ones that develop a darker pink with darker brown spots, and the ones that have a lighter pink with yellow spots

[flameangel88]

If it's just color difference then the fish store sold me the female is incorrect on saying it's a female borb. I don't have a clear picture but you can see. If this is not a female then can someone ID her? Even if this is totally different I'll not be drive 136 mi round trip and will just keep her as both get along fine.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i287/reeftankpix/Borbonius%20Anthias/IMG_1973Large.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i287/reeftankpix/Borbonius%20Anthias/IMG_1969Large.jpg

I thought this guy was a pussycat after acclimating him last night till I came home tonight after turning on just the actinic he went crazy charging the side glass on his reflection. I can't imagine 2 exist in a small tank.
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i287/reeftankpix/Borbonius%20Anthias/IMG_1959Large.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i287/reeftankpix/Borbonius%20Anthias/IMG_1950Large.jpg

[flameangel88]

I forgot to mention that both ate well today and I gave them frozen stuff, pellets and SF brand freeze dried mysis. Aggressive eaers. Other than a nipped tail they both look very good.

[tobasdad]

One is a borbonius, the other looks like a yellow anthias to me. Definitely NOT a borbonius.

The borbonius do well in groups.

[SDguy]

That's a female squarespot (Pseudanthias pleurotaenia)

[tobasdad]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12045523#post12045523 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SDguy
That's a female squarespot (Pseudanthias pleurotaenia)


otherwise known as a yellow anthias.
Thanks for the confirmation.
Flameangel88, I hope you didn't pay Borbonius pricing for it.
They are about $20.

[flameangel88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12045581#post12045581 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tobasdad
otherwise known as a yellow anthias.
Thanks for the confirmation.
Flameangel88, I hope you didn't pay Borbonius pricing for it.
They are about $20.

Thanks to both for the ID. The Borb (3 1/4") was $126 and the yel anthias (2 3/4") was $30. Guess they wanted to squeeze a little extra out. I don't if I could add anymore Borb after seeing how aggressive the Borb got toward its own reflection off the glass. Any suggestions on adding more after one gets established?

[tobasdad]

You could probably get away with adding 2 more at the same time.

[flameangel88]

Thanks for your input!

[flameangel88]

They are eating well are out in the open corner section of the tank. So far I haven't seen them swim across to the orther side. Normally my PBT would be very aggressive toward new comers but didn't see that toward the anthias and the PBT just went up close and left them along.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i287/reeftankpix/Borbonius%20Anthias/IMG_2031Large.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i287/reeftankpix/Borbonius%20Anthias/IMG_2033Large.jpg

[Bax]

Yup I just saw some at AF in Clifton for $399 EACH!

Absolutly beautiful though!

[takayan]

Mine is not aggressige to other fish. Yellow tang sometimes bothers Borb, but he is okay.
He can only eat Krill both Dry and Frozen, but he does not eat Pellet or Flake.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/530/68575MarchTank.JPG

[flameangel88]

Do they swim much or do they just constantly looking up for food? I've acclimated my Borbonius and Yel Anthias since late Friday night and they've been eating frozen, pellets and freeze dried mysis but they don't swim much and been hanging around the right side of the tank. Is this normal or they need to be in a group to feel more comfortable? Or this is still early they need more time to acclimate? No one in the tank have bothered them and not even my PBT (this is very unusal for the PBT not to attack any new comer). I never had any anthias before so any comments will be helpful. TIA!

[takayan]

Mine is same thing. She is hanging around the same place, so she does not swim a lot.

[flameangel88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12051899#post12051899 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by takayan
Mine is same thing. She is hanging around the same place, so she does not swim a lot.

Love your tank and esp the tinkers. After looking over your picture my Borb is at about the same spot near the top of the tank and just holding position there till the light goes out and would lean against a rock to sleep.

[ssavader]

We have a small coral specialty shop (Premium Aquatics) that was bringing two in for another customer. When I inquired, I was told $200 each for direct pick-up at the store on their day-of-arrival; 350$ if they house and QT them.

[flameangel88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12052084#post12052084 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ssavader
We have a small coral specialty shop (Premium Aquatics) that was bringing two in for another customer. When I inquired, I was told $200 each for direct pick-up at the store on their day-of-arrival; 350$ if they house and QT them.

You are fortunate to be so close to PA, even though I've never goten an order of fish from them but their LR & LS are great and great people there.

[flameangel88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12044174#post12044174 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ezcompany
i don't know the difference between male and female, but there seems to be two types, the ones that develop a darker pink with darker brown spots, and the ones that have a lighter pink with yellow spots

I see 2 Borbs at LA Diver's Den just like the way you described with the one on the left (4.25") deeper pink and the one on the right (smaller 3.5") lighter pink. Mine is about 3-3.25" with the deeper pink.

LA Den (http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/CatDisplay.cfm?sku=0089698000000&siteid=20&start=46&page_num=4)

[vaporize]

so what's the longest time people have kept this anthias?

[mandynm]

Great pictures. They really are unique looking.

[flameangel88]

Since this is the 'Official Borbonius Thread' I will start the update for the new year.

I started out with 4 (added 1 then 3 more a week later) back in March and the 2 larger Borbs died within couple of days. The other two have almost doubled in size with 2-3 feedings a day and I keep the temperature in the low 70s.

This was taken last month
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i287/reeftankpix/Borbonius%20Anthias/IMG_4613.jpg

[SDguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14067196#post14067196 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by flameangel88
I keep the temperature in the low 70s.



Really? How low?

[flameangel88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14067548#post14067548 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SDguy
Really? How low?

It's 72-73.

[Rendos]

I have had mine for about 3 months now. Here they are on the day I added them to the tank:
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/415236348_TrXLx-L.jpg

They have fattened up a lot. I feed them a wide variety of foods, but they seem to enjoy the mysis shrimp, and plankton best. They stay out in the open all day long. They are not aggressive to any of my other fish including my ventralis anthias pair.

[90reefernyc]

Here is a picture of my pair:
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll107/jns03/IMG_0011.jpg
Had them for about three months. Received them from a LFS. They like to hide allot in the rock work. Mine like to eat flakes and frozen mysis.
There about 1 1/2 each in size. I keep them in a 270 right now. One of them gets bullied by an orange striped cardinal.

[JB NY]

I have had mine almost 1 year, got him last March. So far no issues with this fish at all. He is out all the time, eats the sames stuff I feed the rest on the tank, doesn't bother any fish. I keep my tank temps normal reef range (77F in winter 83F in summer).

[SnookSlayer08]

I saw quite a few of these guys pop up right before x-mas. One of the LFSs has a little bad one that's just under 2" in a 20gal until he get's bigger then he's going in the owner's tank at home. They have had a huge 8" one for close to a month that I'd love to get but I don't have a large enough tank.

But I'd like to know, if I got a little one and once he got to about 3" I put him in a bigger tank would he be ok with a pair of clowns in a 20 gallon sps tank?

[flameangel88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14076890#post14076890 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SnookSlayer08
They have had a huge 8" one for close to a month that I'd love to get but I don't have a large enough tank.



Wow. I didn't know they get bigger 5-6". I would love to see the color of one that big. How was the color? Was it deep pink?

[SnookSlayer08]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14076959#post14076959 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by flameangel88
Wow. I didn't know they get bigger 5-6". I would love to see the color of one that big. How was the color? Was it deep pink?
Yeah this one's atleast 7", but very peaceful, hasn't tried to eat the firefish in the same tank yet. He looks just like this oneBorb (http://www.bishopmuseum.org/research/treks/palautz97/fish1.html)

[flameangel88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14077335#post14077335 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SnookSlayer08
Yeah this one's atleast 7", but very peaceful, hasn't tried to eat the firefish in the same tank yet. He looks just like this oneBorb (http://www.bishopmuseum.org/research/treks/palautz97/fish1.html)

Thanks. Its very good looking.

[E.intheC]

There's a fish store in Copiague (Pet's Warehouse) that had them in last week. They were asking 180 I believe. Much better than the $300-400 price tag I've seen them for.

They are deepwater fish, so this has to be one of the reasons why they have been reported to have swim bladder issues.

[gordon2726]

I've just got a pair on ebay last week. They're both doing great right now. One of them is out most of the time and the other one is more shy but will come out too. Right now, I am feeding them frozen mysis & brine shrimp. 2 days ago, I've noticed that one of them (shy one) has some damaged on the tail fins... which he was fine when I first got them. I don't know which fish bullied him as everything looks peaceful even when feeding.

[gordon2726]

Right now, I have 15 fish total in the tank. Here's the list of fish I have and they are all getting along great with Borbonius Anthias.

Blue Hippo Tang 3"
Pair Picasso Clowns 1 1/2" & 2"
5 Blue Green Chromis 1" - 1 1/2"
Purple Fire Fish 3"
Mystery Wrasses 3"
3 Barletts Anthias 2 1/2" - 3"
Pair of Borbonius Anthias 1 1/2" - 2"

[vaporize]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14084312#post14084312 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gordon2726
I've just got a pair on ebay last week. They're both doing great right now. One of them is out most of the time and the other one is more shy but will come out too. Right now, I am feeding them frozen mysis & brine shrimp. 2 days ago, I've noticed that one of them (shy one) has some damaged on the tail fins... which he was fine when I first got them. I don't know which fish bullied him as everything looks peaceful even when feeding.

how much was it? :)

good luck

[E.intheC]

the following is from a store I get emails from. I've never been, but have heard good things. They're in the Westchester area I believe.. Not a bad price, at $69 though!

http://www.nyaquatic.com/servlet/the-285/Borbonius-(blotchy)-Anthias/Detail

[gordon2726]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14086062#post14086062 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vaporize
how much was it? :)

good luck

I got them at $79 each plus shipping.

[fishyheaven]

hello all,

i just purchased a group of 3 not too long ago. They are still a bit shy, but started to eat. cant wait till they are bigger! right now they are about 1.5 inches. I would post some pics but they dont really come out in the light just yet.

All three look pretty healthy so far, hope they will stay that way!

[Terryz_]

Just bought 4 of them last week... Started eating once in my QT... Currently only one of them have bright coloration, Could that be the male? The other color are abit faded... But all feeding on mysis enriched with vitamins... Any chances of getting them to feed on pellets?

[mckostya]

you can find these at 69.99 now! great price and great addition for any reef tank!

[mcrist]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14169985#post14169985 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mckostya
you can find these at 69.99 now! great price and great addition for any reef tank!
I have not seen anything that low. Where did you see those prices?

[fishyheaven]

Google it n it should be the first one. If not pm me n I can tell you where I got my.

[groovemcfly]

I just got one that feeds on just about anything. Hes got bright colors but has only come out a few times. I've noticed recently him taking to a certain overhang where he hangs upside down. How do you get them to come out more?

[flameangel88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14170692#post14170692 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by groovemcfly
How do you get them to come out more?

Give it time...they do like to hangout around caves but they'll come out after getting more comfortable in the tank.

[fishyheaven]

My new babies, i can only get pic of two so far...

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn299/ctseng3/IMG_0021.jpg

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn299/ctseng3/IMG_0043.jpg

[Eels&Lions]

I noticed every one here has pairs or trios.

Whats up with the aggression issues?

I'm thinking about putting a trio into my 210gal tank.

[fishyheaven]

i am currently not experiencing any aggro but they are pretty small.

[nanoguy]

Are you guys referring to aggression against other fish or each other? I currently have two and they seem to be model citizens but I've only had them for a couple of weeks.

[Woodward6288]

mines is doing good...eating well...

[mcrist]

I just purchased three for my system. They are all eating fine.

[Kigs]

my trio only seem to fight amongst themselves and pick on fish that are smaller than them.

[Eels&Lions]

Thanks for the info. I already put in an order for 3 borbs. The tank has no fish in it so if all goes well I might just add another 2 borbs to have a total of 5.

[Woodward6288]

wow..5 borbs..that's gonna be a sweet tank to look at.

[TrojanScott]

I just purchased one of these fish. He's about 4.5 inches, and eating flake and frozen mysis. $99 is what I paid, and he's on the larger side. I saw some much smaller at another store for $120.

Just purchased one, not sure I wanted a pair, and from what I was told, do fine on their own. I have a yellow tang I was worried may try to pick on this guy, but I guess with the fins they have, they just LOOK venomous, so the fish are leaving him alone. It's only been 2 days, but he's moving around great, eating, seems to be doing well. Store owner said he had it for a month. He had three others but said only had those fish for a week, so I tend to believe his claim of a month for this guy.

I love this fish, very cool looking.


http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/TrojanScott/DSC02354.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/TrojanScott/DSC02349.jpg

[TrojanScott]

Well, that was a quick 100 bucks, and I'm bummed. Lost this fish to ich. I didn't quarantine, but I rarely do. I'm a firm believer in my fish fighting ich and I haven't lost one to ich in probably 8 years. He wasn't picked on, I watched him eat at the store, etc, etc. Are these difficult fish to keep? I notice a lot of people have these now that the pricing has dropped, but wonder if we really know how difficult this fish may be?

[mcrist]

Sorry for you loss.

[Kigs]

Sry to hear that - it was a beautiful specimen too. :( They are extremely sensitive to ICH in my experience and if untreated, most perished very quickly.

[flameangel88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14258506#post14258506 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TrojanScott
Well, that was a quick 100 bucks, and I'm bummed. Lost this fish to ich. I didn't quarantine, but I rarely do. I'm a firm believer in my fish fighting ich and I haven't lost one to ich in probably 8 years. He wasn't picked on, I watched him eat at the store, etc, etc. Are these difficult fish to keep? I notice a lot of people have these now that the pricing has dropped, but wonder if we really know how difficult this fish may be?

Two issues that I see common with them: first being parasites (were they de-wormed?) which I think they come in with plenty and secondly they are deep water fish and how well they were decompressed and treated for infection? But once they are acclimated they are pretty hardy.

I got 4 last March ranging from XS to LG and the 2 larger one died fairly quick even though they were eating like piggies and all of a sudden they just stopped and lights out. The remaining two are doing well and has almost doubled in size since. Lesson I've learned with deepwater fish is the source where we are getting them. I've tried to save in the past by paying less and at the end I ended up with a dead fish more often than not.

[flameangel88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14258562#post14258562 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kigs
Sry to hear that - it was a beautiful specimen too. :( They are extremely sensitive to ICH in my experience and if untreated, most perished very quickly.

I'm pretty sure they are and mine two are lucky as the tank has gone through 2 ich attack and just came out of one after the Griffis died recently. Both times I've treated the tank with Cupramine for 30 days and both Borbs are fine.

[flameangel88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14258506#post14258506 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TrojanScott
I'm a firm believer in my fish fighting ich and I haven't lost one to ich in probably 8 years.

Ich is treatable and if the tank is FO or FOWLR then life is simple with Cupramine but if it's velvet than it may be too late by the time we recognize it. I didn't know what it looked like till recently and I can say it hits fast.

btw--sorry for your loss. If you want to give it another try I highly recommend getting them from either LA DD or reefhotspot.

[TrojanScott]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14258926#post14258926 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by flameangel88
Ich is treatable and if the tank is FO or FOWLR then life is simple with Cupramine but if it's velvet than it may be too late by the time we recognize it. I didn't know what it looked like till recently and I can say it hits fast.

btw--sorry for your loss. If you want to give it another try I highly recommend getting them from either LA DD or reefhotspot.


Thanks, I'll check out those places. I do know it's treatable, but mine is a reef tank. I've tried raising temps, salinity, etc, in the past, but usually have found unless I take the fish out and copper treat, they either sink or swim, so to speak. My blue tang has had ich multiple times, always fights through it. I have also treated fish with ich in copper and still lost it. Almost wonder if the stress from trying to get 'em out of the tank makes matters even worse.

[flameangel88]

Sorry, I didn't read your sig about the reef part. I agree that the stress caused by catching them in a tank with rocks definitely compounds the problem and they seen to die more often than just treating in the DT from my personal experience.

[TrojanScott]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14259442#post14259442 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by flameangel88
Sorry, I didn't read your sig about the reef part. I agree that the stress caused by catching them in a tank with rocks definitely compounds the problem and they seen to die more often than just treating in the DT from my personal experience.

No worries! Yeah, same here. I've tried the ground ginger in the food in the past, you name it! I think it comes down to if the fish can fend it off. Most times, they do! (in my experience.) 100 bucks sucks, but even if he were $20, I'd still be bummed. I hate losing any fish, and in the few days I had it, really thought it was a cool fish.

[flameangel88]

I'm like that too when it comes to a dead fish in our care whether it's $20 or $100 but it hurts a lot more when its $100. I tried melafix and stop parasite and I really don't think they do anything. So far, I only trust 3 meds--prazi, cupramine & Maracyn 2 that I've good results with.

Back on track with Borbs...they look cute but that's about it as they don't swim around too much and usually perch on a rock or hang upside down in the caves. Unless you've a pair otherwise the bigger one is just like a bully and bug the crap out of the smaller ones. I guess I must be lucky and ended up with a pair because in the beginning the big bully just constantly chases the smaller one and would give up eating to do it.

[BFG]

I might want to get a few in the future but are they compatible with other anthias species especially the sunset anthias?

[Wolf74]

Gorgeous fish!!!! Not at that point yet to spend that much on a fish though...gets tempting at times though.

[southstar066]

Just picked up a Blotchy a few weeks ago. love it, here are some pics

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o319/southstar066/DSC_0518.jpg

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o319/southstar066/DSC_0519.jpg

[Kigs]

Beautiful! I love the expression on his face, 2nd pic. :lol:

[nanoguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14261405#post14261405 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BFG
I might want to get a few in the future but are they compatible with other anthias species especially the sunset anthias?
My male lyretail anthia tried hard to bully my borbs around but these little guys are super fast! Anytime they swim out of the rock work he would chase them back in. The lyretail is now in my sump.

[stunreefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14261405#post14261405 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BFG
I might want to get a few in the future but are they compatible with other anthias species especially the sunset anthias? You mean Sunburst/Fathead anthias, Serranocirrhitus latus?

I know someone who keeps a trio of them with a pair of borbonius with no issues :D

[Steven1015]

I just bought my first one a day ago and im bringing home 2 more tommorow. Out of 9 that i have seen come in only 2 of them have died. At my local shop there is my remaing 2 which will be coming home tommorow and a trio that are all around 4 inches with awsome color. My three will be going into a 40gal with a yellow tangs some anemones and eventually some clownfish. If this is to small i will move them to my 120gal display but from what ive seen i think the 40gal will be fine for them they dont seem extremly active fish. Also everyone that has been recieved started feeding immiadiatly they seem to be a relativly hardy fish.

[jwalters103]

uhhh....their maximum size is 6-8 inches. i wouldnt even think about putting one in a 40 let alone 3

[Dooly]

3 borbs that are around 4 inches each are in my opinion, way too big for a 40gal especially with a yellow tang already in it?

I had a borb thats roughly 1.75" and hes in my 120.. in there with a sunburst that is about the same size and the sunburst is the boss of the tank funny enough..

i wanted to initially get rid of the sunburst.. but I think its a rare genius fish.. I set out a fish trap (DIY 2liter), he saw the fish get trapped in there.. so he followed them in, ate all the food.. and swam right back out when I reached in the tank.. did this multiple times.. so he was meant to be.. LOL

[Steven1015]

i guess its good that mine are under 2 inches and going to a 120gal once they grow some

[Steven1015]

I forgot to add in my post that there are ones at 4 inches there those wernt the ones i bought i absolutly would not put those ia 40gal that would be throwing money away i didnt specify what i was doing im growing mine out ina 40gal so they dont get lost in my reef tank.

[flameangel88]

I may have a pair here...usually the bigger borb is the bully but for the past year (exactly one year on 3/4) they have grown together quite nicely and this is their sleeping arrangement


http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i287/reeftankpix/Borbonius%20Anthias/IMG_6075.jpg

The bigger one is about 3 1/4" and the color is more dull compared to the smaller one and I'm not sure if this is due to aging process.

[MG21]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1591791

Picked up 5 of them about a month ago. Not bugging any of the other fish but are kinda quarreling amongst each other. All are eating well. I think one might have a swim bladder issue, kinda hanging out upside down under my shelves. Pics in the link above.

[Amazon4]

Just curious, is there a way to tell them apart - M vs F? I have one juvi (1.5") Just wondering if there's a way to know the gender. (I'm sure THEY know LOL)

thanks!

[Rickyrooz1]

Nice pics!

[Tyler.L]

how many people still have these kicking around...i would like to get some but the odds of getting some in canada are probably rare with an even rarer price tag....would be nice to get some hopefully i can scam something and get one or two...

[imisky]

im thinking about getting 1 of these, how are these guys and jumping as i have an open top tank

i currently have a 30g with

1 fairy wrasse
3 blue eye cardinals

see any issues?

[vaporize]

how many people still have these kicking around...i would like to get some but the odds of getting some in canada are probably rare with an even rarer price tag....would be nice to get some hopefully i can scam something and get one or two...

Actually I've seen them more than enough times in the Toronto area ;-D Sometimes with quite a reasonable price tag, but certainly not as low as US$79 posted on an earlier post.

[mcrist]

I have three in my tank and they are doing fine.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/mecrist/2009-07-1920-57-30.jpg

[uhuru]

I never see them anymore, would love to get some for my 150

[skibum9884]

agreed, i haven't seen any in months. maybe they're out of season?

[mjsfish]

Correct skibum.

They are seasonal.
I'm waiting to get some when they come back.
I'm told December most likely.

[MG21]

Still have 3 of my original 5 since March. One died right away. The other just died about a month ago but he was always a loner and picked on since day one.

[seahorsedreams]

My trio.... Jan 1010 will be a year old.

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/blot900-2.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/blotchpretty900.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/blotchgrump900.jpg

[fishyheaven]

nice pics! i missed my trio...

[seahorsedreams]

I'm suppose to be moving them tonight.... but I'm skeered!

[fishyheaven]

i lost my during my upgrade move... but it was probably due to my errors. Im sure they will be fine.

I'm suppose to be moving them tonight.... but I'm skeered!

[mcrist]

Thos are some of the nicest pictures I have seen, nicely done seahorsedreams.

[seahorsedreams]

Thanks... nothing like 5 Home Depot flood lights shining on a 30g tank to brighten ones pics up... LOL. Poor fish, they don't even have light over their tanks on a day to day basis.

[Nemo Niblets]

Are these okay in a 3 foot long tank? I wouldn't think so, but I have seen it done.

[fishyheaven]

Finally!! after losing my during a tank move i finally find another! It was at the near by LFS that i dont really visit too much but they had this one there for quite some time now (maybe one year?) hopefully this one will last forever!!

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn299/ctseng3/P1010967.jpg
http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn299/ctseng3/P1010972.jpg

[Jordani]

Why do some borbs have a blue hue to their eyes and some don't? Will the blue hue go away after time?

[jjoos99]

I have one female anthias in my 180 gallon reef setup and am thinking of adding a male and was wondering how many more females would be the min. that I should have along with the male. I currently have 8 fish in the tank along with quite a bit of growing sps coral so I dont want to add more fish then what i have to to keep everyone happy.
thanks
Jeff

[vaporize]

I have one female anthias in my 180 gallon reef setup and am thinking of adding a male and was wondering how many more females would be the min. that I should have along with the male. I currently have 8 fish in the tank along with quite a bit of growing sps coral so I dont want to add more fish then what i have to to keep everyone happy.
thanks
Jeff

Jeff, how do you sex male and female?

[Nemo Niblets]

I'm so excited! I found a new LFS who sells these 100 each, and trios of flame wrasses for 250. I can't wait to start up my new tank.

[jjoos99]

Jeff, how do you sex male and female?

In the lyretail the male is red with longer fins with the females being orange.
Jeff

[seahorsedreams]

I didn't expect this when I was feeding the scorps tonight.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wc7YQv5D_2Y&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wc7YQv5D_2Y&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[seahorsedreams]

We always knew who the male was, but over the last couple of weeks his tail "streamers" have gotten longer than the other two and his developed an additonal "nob" on his dorsal spine.

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/blotchedbigmale900.jpg

[stunreefer]

Great video Renee, and quite a surprise to me as well! I had a male Pseudanthias squamipinnis that would eat from my hand a few years back... shocking to see for the first time!

[Texsun]

I've had one for about a month and he/she is as aggressive a feeder as my Black Ocellaris. Great fish and loves to hang out in the middle of the tank. Will post pictures soon.

Do these need to be fed as regularly as other anthias?

[Amoore311]

Are people keeping these at typical reef temps (78F~) or are they a more cold water fish?


I would like to get one for my 180, but I'm not willing to put a chiller on my system to keep a fish lol.

[skibum9884]

I am picking some of these up tomorrow. Any suggestions as to whether to get 2 or 3 of them?

[mcrist]

Are people keeping these at typical reef temps (78F~) or are they a more cold water fish?


I would like to get one for my 180, but I'm not willing to put a chiller on my system to keep a fish lol.
I have 3 and I keep my reef at 78F year round.

[SDguy]

When I originally saw pics of these fish, before they became available in the trade, they had bright pink bodies with bright yellow spots. Are the ones that are so common in the hobby now regional variants, or do they develop the bright colors later in life?

Example (bright):
http://filaman.ifm-geomar.de/images/thumbnails/jpg/tn_Hobor_u3.jpg

http://www.reeflex.net/images/yTfuVuSWkY.jpg



Example (dark):
http://fishpix.kahaku.go.jp/photos/NR0004/NR0004180AF.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/iddb/images/fish/anthias/anthias16.jpg

[skibum9884]

mark, any aggression between the 3? i've heard they're different than most anthias as they don't shoal. I'm not so interested in this, just want to be sure there will be no aggression between the 3.

[mcrist]

mark, any aggression between the 3? i've heard they're different than most anthias as they don't shoal. I'm not so interested in this, just want to be sure there will be no aggression between the 3.
Minor aggression between the three and they definitely do not school.

[HomeSlizzice]

When I originally saw pics of these fish, before they became available in the trade, they had bright pink bodies with bright yellow spots. Are the ones that are so common in the hobby now regional variants, or do they develop the bright colors later in life?

Example (bright):
http://filaman.ifm-geomar.de/images/thumbnails/jpg/tn_Hobor_u3.jpg

http://www.reeflex.net/images/yTfuVuSWkY.jpg



Example (dark):
http://fishpix.kahaku.go.jp/photos/NR0004/NR0004180AF.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/iddb/images/fish/anthias/anthias16.jpg


I would also like to know this.

[mcrist]

When I originally saw pics of these fish, before they became available in the trade, they had bright pink bodies with bright yellow spots. Are the ones that are so common in the hobby now regional variants, or do they develop the bright colors later in life?

Example (bright):
http://filaman.ifm-geomar.de/images/thumbnails/jpg/tn_Hobor_u3.jpg

http://www.reeflex.net/images/yTfuVuSWkY.jpg

Example (dark):
http://fishpix.kahaku.go.jp/photos/NR0004/NR0004180AF.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/iddb/images/fish/anthias/anthias16.jpg
Mine are similar to the second dark photo.

[Lacy]

Anyone have long term success keeping these fish with tank temps between 78° - 82°?

[seahorsedreams]

I suspect those first 2 pics have flash and the darker ones do not. Mine looks oddly bright too if I use the flash. But they can be different hue's of pink and gold. The smaller one of mine is very pink with almost black looking spots.

[SDguy]

While I can appreciate flash vs. non-flash photography, I don't think it explains those differences :) I'm still thinking regional variance, or age.

[mcrist]

Anyone have long term success keeping these fish with tank temps between 78° - 82°?
I’ve had my trio for 13 months and have had no issues with them in 78 degree water.

[gbreynol]

I picked up a Borb from a local LFS last week. The fish eats great and is pretty active. The issue is that when he comes out from his perch under a rocky overhang he is constantly swimming downward instead of hovering like other fish. When people talk about swim bladder problems in these fish is this one of the tell tale signs? I can take a video if anybody needs to see it. I'm just not sure what I should be looking for.

[namxas]

sounds like decompression problems to me. if the fish can't hold its place in the water column, and it tends to wedge itself or rest under an overhang or crevice to keep from floating, those are the indicators.

if you shoot the vid, it should probably nail it down, but the chances are good that it took a hit.

[Amazon4]

I have noticed one thing with these fish -the ones I've seen, including my own, tend to swim and hover in a very slight nose down attitude. But nothing that would make me think there's a problem. I haven't seen vids of them in the wild to know if this is normal though.

Mine is very active and swims all over the tank. The only time he heads for the rocks is when the lights go out.

[stunreefer]

Borbonius, as with other fish sometimes exhibit this behavior. If it was three-four years ago I would be more inclined to think decompression issues, but they've been collecting them at much shallower depths (which is also where the price drop came from), although you never know.

Video will go a long way...

[gbreynol]

Here is the video of him swimming. He tends to hide out on the side of my 180g tank. There is an MP40 above him, but other fish do not swim like that when they are over there. Let me know what you think.

Borbonious Swimming Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5R0xbW-TUk)

[namxas]

that's not normal. it also looks like the fish's abdomen is distended.

Renee just shot a hasty video of our "blotchies" for comparison...she'll post it soon.

[seahorsedreams]

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/videos/th_YouTube-3cafbac475e848088cf3b7653fa.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/videos/?action=view&current=YouTube-3cafbac475e848088cf3b7653fa.flv)

[mcrist]

Your fish is definitely not swimming normally and it looks like it is struggling to stay at that depth. Does you fish always exhibit that behavior? My trio swims and acts very much like the video posted by seahorsedreams.

[gbreynol]

Your fish is definitely not swimming normally and it looks like it is struggling to stay at that depth. Does you fish always exhibit that behavior? My trio swims and acts very much like the video posted by seahorsedreams.

Yes, he is always swimming like that. He seems unable to stop using his tail unless he wedges himself against a rock. Thanks for the video and advice.

[stunreefer]

that's not normal. it also looks like the fish's abdomen is distended..
Agreed.

[Blitzburggirl]

so what's the longest time people have kept this anthias?

Just found this thread.. and still have all after your post to read.. but thought I'd throw this out...

I bought my borb from a local reefer who was breaking down her large tank. She had him for over a year, and he seemed to run her harem of "other" anthias. Grew really fast, aggressive feeder, and active active active. I read her posts on him from day one :) When she was selling, I bought LOL I've had him about 2 months and some change. I can't take a pic of the reef without him in it any more LOL He's always out, and eats great :)

Here's Herbie!
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm90/blitzburggirl/IMG_9002.jpg

[Blitzburggirl]

I'm like that too when it comes to a dead fish in our care whether it's $20 or $100 but it hurts a lot more when its $100. I tried melafix and stop parasite and I really don't think they do anything. So far, I only trust 3 meds--prazi, cupramine & Maracyn 2 that I've good results with.

Back on track with Borbs...they look cute but that's about it as they don't swim around too much and usually perch on a rock or hang upside down in the caves. Unless you've a pair otherwise the bigger one is just like a bully and bug the crap out of the smaller ones. I guess I must be lucky and ended up with a pair because in the beginning the big bully just constantly chases the smaller one and would give up eating to do it.

Interesting... I've never seen mine perch, or hang around upside down, anywhere.... Does this happen longterm (still?) Mine constantly swims.. sometimes slow and is usually at a downward angle (nose down) when he's swimming slow... but I guess it's odd to have such completely different behavior in the the same fish.:fish1:

ahhhh... edited to add.. after reading to pages 6 and 7 it is clear why you may have observed the upside down in a cave :(

[Blitzburggirl]

I'm suppose to be moving them tonight.... but I'm skeered!

Hey Renee' what is your avatar??

Also, looking at these fish I notice a difference between most of the fish and mine... the top fins (sorry, dorsal, maybe?) most have thin threads extending.. mine has an odd notched looking spiny extension... hmm


edited- someday I'll read a thread through before throwing out my 2 cents!!! You answered my fin question. I wonder if these fish are like other anthias.. dominant female has the potential to become the male... and to make up for posting before reading - here's another borbonius pic :)

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm90/blitzburggirl/3-8-2010/IMG_9171.jpg

[seahorsedreams]

Hey Renee' what is your avatar?

It's an Orange Sotted Filefish. (Oxymonacanthus longirostris).

[Blitzburggirl]

Very pretty!

[namxas]

here are a couple of pix Renee (seahorsedreams) just snapped of our male "blotchie":

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/blotchedidontknow700.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/blotchmale800.jpg

this fish was the dominant specimen in our trio and has indeed gotten the "anthias male dorsal spike" typical of many species.

[mcrist]

I lost all three of my Anthias this weekend when I was working on my tank. I was reaquascaping and they did not seem tolerate it. No other fish had any problems with the work I did. Just a word of caution that this species seems to be a little less tolerate.

[seahorsedreams]

How long have you had them, Mark?

[mcrist]

How long have you had them, Mark?
I got them on 01/18/09, so over a year.

[seahorsedreams]

I'm very surprised that you lost them. Mine have have tolerated a lot.

[Climb16]

I was thinking of adding a trio to my tank any thoughts on how they would do with a 10inch scribbled angle, 6 inch clown trigger, 6inch imperator, 5 inch purple tang, 7 inch queen angel 5 inch threadfin butterfly, a blue ribbon eel and a pair of maroon clown. I have a 240 gallon. Just seeing if people had had luck with borbonius anthias more agressive fish. Thanks for the input

[stunreefer]

When I originally saw pics of these fish, before they became available in the trade, they had bright pink bodies with bright yellow spots. Are the ones that are so common in the hobby now regional variants, or do they develop the bright colors later in life?
These guys do have quite a range (see here: http://www.fishbase.org/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=23333) so some could be due to regional variants, but I think most of it has to do with depth collected (and perhaps their diet at those depths). As we all know when first introduced these fish were VERY expensive, $1,000 + easy... which was due to the fact of the depths they were collected. Deep water fish cost more. Now they are much, much cheaper, and we're also seeing a seeminly "less bright" pink coloration on most specimens. They're certainly being found in shallower environments to hit the retail market at $100-200. I think the deep water specimens held their bright pink color better due to lack of light (happens to certain fish). I'm curious if we house these "lighter" specimens in darker environments and fatten them up with good foods that the pink would brighten up over time. Regardless I think they're awesome and I'll be giving them a shot soon ;)

Awesome shots as usual Renee :thumbsup:

[namxas]

one also must consider whether the fish are stressed. for instance, this is what our fish all looked like as they came from the wholesaler:

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/spot.jpg


this is what they colored-up to:

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/blotchmale700.jpg

[stunreefer]

So true Greg. I recall you or Renee mentioning that you took those great pics with spot-lights over the tank (that you normally don't run), what kind of lighting do you generally run over their tank?

[skibum9884]

I may be wrong, but size may have something to do with the color disparities too. It seems to me the smaller ones aren't as colorful.

[seahorsedreams]

So true Greg. I recall you or Renee mentioning that you took those great pics with spot-lights over the tank (that you normally don't run), what kind of lighting do you generally run over their tank?

There are one set of shots that had 3 of those clamp-on spot lights. That was probably the pics I posted in this thread originally.... I'll have to go back and look. They just had ambient room light while in QT and now have Power Compacts on their 60g.

Age may very well influence colours, but all three of mine are a different colour from each other.

EDIT: Ya, the ones I posted were under the spot lights and the one Greg posted were under PCs. The pale/skinny pic... I don't remember the lights.

[namxas]

I may be wrong, but size may have something to do with the color disparities too. It seems to me the smaller ones aren't as colorful.

it took a good month for these fish to color-up, but after chilling out and getting some good food, they began to look pretty nice. in a bit over a year, they've grown more than double their original size.

[MTH]

This is such a great picture. I am looking into maybe a pair or trio of these.

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/blotchmale700.jpg[/QUOTE]

[MTH]

I have a some questions on these guys. First thing is can you keep them at temps around 78-80F with sps coral lighting with no ill effects? Asking because I know they are deep water. Second is I've heard of other anthias killing each other off until you are left with one like Bartlets and Dispars. Do these suffer from this problem?

[seahorsedreams]

No, they don't pick each other off.

My tank is at 77.

[slk55r]

My tank is a mixed reef and I keep it at 74-76 degrees. I have 2 borbs and the larger one is the king of the tank atm. While he does seem a bit aggressive he never bites ... just chases a bit. The bigger one does seem a bit more colorful than the smaller one.
At first they would hide a lot but now they don't seem to mind the light at all and are out and about all the time.

[Nemo Niblets]

Where is the best place to buy these at the moment?

[Texsun]

I have a some questions on these guys. First thing is can you keep them at temps around 78-80F with sps coral lighting with no ill effects? Asking because I know they are deep water. Second is I've heard of other anthias killing each other off until you are left with one like Bartlets and Dispars. Do these suffer from this problem?
Mine's been thriving (color progression similar to namxas' pictures) for the past several months with temps 78+ and 250w MH in a shallow cube. It was aggressive to a pair of Ventralis when they were first introduced but has since calmed down.

[steelersfan]

Where is the best place to buy these at the moment?

IMO, Divers Den is the best place.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+3&ddid=86498

[Znut Reefer]

Here's my 2. I've had them close to a yr. The larger one has more color than the smaller one. I wonder if the larger one is the female?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/ZnutReefer/IMG_0854.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/ZnutReefer/IMG_0856.jpg

[dsinla]

Everything i thought i read about the Borbonius Anthias is they are peaceful fish. Well i've had 2 now for 2 months now. Good size. I had 3 clown fish. 1 med small and 2 smaller ones. One day the med clown just disspeared. 3 weeks last, today. I caught my Anthias inside a "cave" of one of my coral. Where my 3 med size fire goby like to hang. HE ATE THEM BOTH. Has anyone else experience this?
thanks

* i have still in my tank the 2 small clown, med twinspot goby, 2 blue hippo tangs (1 small 1 med), 2 strip damsel, 1 domino damsel, 1 small yellow wraase, 1 med black cap basslet,

[chercm]

Everything i thought i read about the Borbonius Anthias is they are peaceful fish. Well i've had 2 now for 2 months now. Good size. I had 3 clown fish. 1 med small and 2 smaller ones. One day the med clown just disspeared. 3 weeks last, today. I caught my Anthias inside a "cave" of one of my coral. Where my 3 med size fire goby like to hang. HE ATE THEM BOTH. Has anyone else experience this?
thanks

* i have still in my tank the 2 small clown, med twinspot goby, 2 blue hippo tangs (1 small 1 med), 2 strip damsel, 1 domino damsel, 1 small yellow wraase, 1 med black cap basslet,

serious ?:eek2::eek2:

[mojo~]

I had to get me one of these. will be here thursday

[namxas]

Everything i thought i read about the Borbonius Anthias is they are peaceful fish. Well i've had 2 now for 2 months now. Good size. I had 3 clown fish. 1 med small and 2 smaller ones. One day the med clown just disspeared. 3 weeks last, today. I caught my Anthias inside a "cave" of one of my coral. Where my 3 med size fire goby like to hang. HE ATE THEM BOTH. Has anyone else experience this?
thanks

* i have still in my tank the 2 small clown, med twinspot goby, 2 blue hippo tangs (1 small 1 med), 2 strip damsel, 1 domino damsel, 1 small yellow wraase, 1 med black cap basslet,

H. borbonius is not a peaceful fish by any means, altho their aggression is usually among themselves, and altho they bicker, they don't pick each other off like some species.

i can believe the anthias killed your other fish, but they can't eat anything they can't swallow (they're planktonic feeders). i'm not sure what you mean by "ate" your other fish. that being said, our trio will eat from a feeding stick, but even then, the food has to be bite-sized.

just a bit puzzled here...

[dvmsn]

Do you think these guys would do OK with azure damsels and bicolor chromis, Chromis margaritifer? They are not that aggressive as far as damsels go, but they are first in tank.

[Amazon4]

IME with ours, he is rather territorial. I'm surprised since he's in a 180. He's about 3" and nice and fat. I would think when he gets bigger (and I have seen one about 6") that he would eat what ever they could swallow - but I'm just guessing. I feed fish goo, and he sucks down some large chunks of fish, clams, scallops, etc.

When ever I added a new fish, it used to be the coral beauty who would harass the new addition. Now it's the borb. He's by no means the biggest fish in the tank, but he thinks he's the boss.

I don't think he'd "knock off" other fish per se. But can be a "harasser" if he wants to be.

[mojo~]

I picked one up today and will get another tomorrow. Hope 2 will get along ok.

[mojo~]

here is #` of two... seems to have great color/ no tank lights on just flash
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u75/jlwright75/P1020432.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u75/jlwright75/P1020433.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u75/jlwright75/P1020434.jpg

[namxas]

looks nice. just needs to fatten up and color-up (the spots will go darker). the fish in the top and bottom pics is a male (note the yellow "knob" on the 3rd dorsal ray).

[mojo~]

well those pics are of the same one. that one is the larger of the two. The smaller one has darker spots. the smaller one is hiding as it just came in this morning.

[Amazon4]

so that's how you tell them apart? I've asked before and not gotten a reply...man that's easy! :rollface: :thumbsup:

[enduserferg]

I want to try these, but was curious if i was planning on getting a trio in the long run, would i have to get them all at the same time? Or could i get away with adding one at a time? I would do this mostly because of the price.

thanks in advance!

[namxas]

you might be able to get away with adding one and then a pair later, but IME/HO, i think saving up to get all three at once would be the best course of action. what you want to avoind is one-on-one confrontation.

[suta4242]

I've got a question about aggression as the fish grow bigger. Not worried about the aggression between themselves but am a bit concerned about any potential agro with other fish.

So for anyone who has maturing fish (ie not small juvies), do you see a problem housing them with Tinkers butterflys? Basically the remaining fish are all pretty quiet types. I don't want anyone harassed especially the butterflys.

Thanks for your time!

[seahorsedreams]

We've had ours for over a year now. They are young adults. They pretty much leave everyone else alone and just tap on each other.

[tang0v]

This is such a great picture. I am looking into maybe a pair or trio of these.

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/blotchmale700.jpg[/QUOTE]

This fish is a must have!

[dsinla]

Everything i thought i read about the Borbonius Anthias is they are peaceful fish. Well i've had 2 now for 2 months now. Good size. I had 3 clown fish. 1 med small and 2 smaller ones. One day the med clown just disspeared. 3 weeks last, today. I caught my Anthias inside a "cave" of one of my coral. Where my 3 med size fire goby like to hang. HE ATE THEM BOTH. Has anyone else experience this?
thanks

* i have still in my tank the 2 small clown, med twinspot goby, 2 blue hippo tangs (1 small 1 med), 2 strip damsel, 1 domino damsel, 1 small yellow wraase, 1 med black cap basslet,
Well turns out i was wrong. The eatting Borbonius Anthias had got inside that cave inside the rock and i didn't see my 2 fire goby's for 3 day...then one morning their they were.

Here's my problem today. one of my 2 Borbonius Anthias has one very cloudy eye and the other is buling out. What can i do? i just treated my tank for a week for iky that my two blue tangs had.

I was reading on line adding Garlic or empson salt? thoughts please.

[namxas]

we typically use Diamox for most cases of edema as opposed to epsom salts. garlic does nothing except maybe boost the immune system on a healthy fish, but IME, beta glucan works much better.

if the damaged eye were unilateral, i'd say the fish likely banged itself swimming thru the rockwork, but since it's bilateral you just had a crypto outbreak, i suspect the fish may have crypto in its eyes. if not that, it sounds like a bacterial infection. Furan 2 is a good broad spectrum antibiotic.

i'm not a fish cootie expert, but those are my thoughts and experiences with other fish. thankfully, our blotchies have never been sick.

[enduserferg]

Thanks for the reply's, but wouldn't you know it I was going to go with buying one and then all of a sudden they stopped appearing. A vendor by me always had them for $80 and now cant get any. Another local vendor has 1 and is selling it as a last of the season, and has raised the price %50.

So unless i find a good deal I'll wait until the next season, question is when are they in "season" again?

Thanks =)

[k.tran]

Just found this thread. Here's my lil guy back in 08

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii267/ktran_24g/IMG_0872.jpg

[skibum9884]

Any recent pictures? Would love to see how the fish has grown/matured in 2 years.

[Noewho]

I am thinking of buying a pair from a friend. They appear to be darker than most of the pics online. Does anyone know why?

[ehutchby]

What price do you think is fair to pay for a fat, healthy pair that is around 3 1/2 inches and have been in a hobbiest reef tank for over one year? Opinions? thanks

[Noewho]

I don't know if this helps but I just purchased a pair from a friend for 250. I originally thought they looked Little dark but at closer inspection they looked great.

[holdyourlight]

Last season they were ~ $100 per fish

[SeaIsle]

I heard that there is a small capture season for these guys and that is why the disparity in pricing and the infrequency. Does anyone have any information to substantiate? I've been looking but con't locate any info.

[holdyourlight]

I have seen them start to trickle in this year but i have been too slow to grab one so far
I am looking to get one this year!

[ECFENCING]

I'm about to purchase 2 JBA's from a friend for my tank 48 x 24 x 20 (100gallons) but I have two other lyretail anthias in there and hope they are compatible.

Do those of you that have these fish have screens for your tanks? I have a rimless tank and am afraid they could possibly be jumpers. I guess it's better safe than sorry and make a screen for my tank.

[Haggis]

I have 3 arriving Wednesday. Woo Hoo!! Been waiting almost 8 months for them to come back "into season".

[Uncko Macko]

Tagging along. Top of my stocklist for my new project.

[SDguy]

Any recent pictures? Would love to see how the fish has grown/matured in 2 years.

Me too! It's been a while since the big influx of these.... I'd love to see them all grown up.

[Lt.Shineysides]

those are beautiful fish. i have a pair in a 120gallon reef tank and they are doing great

[firebirdcrzy]

Has anyone heard when these will be available again in the US? I have been waiting n waiting for them, but noone seems to have them for sale yet.

[Blitzburggirl]

I posted awhile ago and included pics on page 7. My photography has gotten better, so I figure Herbie deserves better. Update on Herbie, still out constantly, has gotten quite large. He is the only anthias in the tank, and has lost his "knobby" third spine. With his previous home, he lived with lyretails and was a guy, now, I think maybe he went back to being a girl? I have a very aggressive purple tang, and she doesn't mess with him. But he doesn't mess with anyone either. By all accounts, he's one of the smaller fish in the 180, but he's well over 4 inches now. Just like a puppy dog, follows me around the tank. I noticed some newer questions, and I can answer some of them for my tank. He's in a highly lit mixed reef tank, with temps running between 78-82.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm90/blitzburggirl/9-18-2010/DSC00170.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm90/blitzburggirl/Tank%20and%20LEDs%20Nov%2030/DSC01269.jpg

[holdyourlight]

Has anyone heard when these will be available again in the US? I have been waiting n waiting for them, but noone seems to have them for sale yet.

+1 been trying to find one for about 6 months myself

[Haggis]

Well.... Got my Borbs on Friday and my trio turned out to only be a duo as the wholesaler only sent on two not three :(. However, they are stunning and apart from still being very shy, are doing great in the tank and eating like pigs! Anyway, here's a couple of shots.

Just to prove there are actually two of them :)

http://grahamcoull.smugmug.com/photos/1180552911_29Uyb-X3-1.jpg

A nice shot of the larger and bolder of the two.
http://grahamcoull.smugmug.com/photos/1180552818_c2Eer-X3-1.jpg

Expect more shots as they start to swim around the tank a bit more.

[seahorsedreams]

Ohhhh... they are going to be nice!

[Haggis]

I can't believe it! After waiting 8 months to get these 2 fish, I posted on my local forum and I've just been offered another 3 by a local reefer! As soon as he can catch them, my two will become 5!! :)

[mistacheese]

Is anyone from Canada, (Specifically Toronto/London area) that knows where I can purchase 3-5 of these beauties. I have been watching on Divers Den for ages and building a tank for a year now. All I need is these... Please PM if you know of some for sale, thank you!

Christopher

[tom obrecht]

http://grahamcoull.smugmug.com/photos/1180552818_c2Eer-X3-1.jpg


Pretty sure if Dr. Suess had a reef tank these would be in it!

[firebirdcrzy]

Here are the 2 that arrived to me yesterday. The larger came in with a swim bladder issue and I did not expect ti to live through the day. To my surprise this morning it was out and swimming. Right now they are a bit shy an will only accept mysis and live brine. What is everyone getting theres to eat?

http://i972.photobucket.com/albums/ae201/stephenweary/90gal%20reef%20tank/newbarbs008.jpg

Swim bladder issue
http://i972.photobucket.com/albums/ae201/stephenweary/90gal%20reef%20tank/newbarbs006.jpg

This morning up and doing good
http://i972.photobucket.com/albums/ae201/stephenweary/90gal%20reef%20tank/malebarb004.jpg

http://i972.photobucket.com/albums/ae201/stephenweary/90gal%20reef%20tank/malebarb001.jpg

[Stumped]

Is anyone from Canada, (Specifically Toronto/London area) that knows where I can purchase 3-5 of these beauties. I have been watching on Divers Den for ages and building a tank for a year now. All I need is these... Please PM if you know of some for sale, thank you!

Christopher

DD basically never has more than one up at a time, and they maybe put up 5-6 total in the past year (could be a few more, but definitely not many). If you want 3-5 you are better off just talking to a LFS to see if they'll order some for you.

Also, I'm not sure if you know or not, but the price in Canada seems way, way higher than what it is in the US. Last time I saw them listed they were something like $300-400 vs. the $100 they were in the US during peak season last year.

[lo7100]

I saw about 5 of them in a LFS in NJ. If someone wants to get a few, there is a chance.

[Uncko Macko]

What store?

[lo7100]

Og2

[mantis1437]

Beautiful fishes! These are on my list of must have fishes!

[bluetang<3]

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy171/bluetang3/IMG_1634.jpg

[prop-frags]

Og2

That's where I got mine: :)

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/5562443230/" title="borbs 948 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5105/5562443230_1a7dcde978_z.jpg" width="640" height="566" alt="borbs 948"></a>

[Fury165]

Is anyone from Canada, (Specifically Toronto/London area) that knows where I can purchase 3-5 of these beauties. I have been watching on Divers Den for ages and building a tank for a year now. All I need is these... Please PM if you know of some for sale, thank you!

Christopher
Pm sent

[Blitzburggirl]

Pretty sure if Dr. Suess had a reef tank these would be in it!

You know... You are soooo right!!!

[Enyo]

Any word on if these are in season? Looking to buy one but LFS cant get them in my area.

Any tip on online retailers in stock would be appreciated.

[bballdad13]

I have not seen any available since the quake in Japan. i believe these come from Japan so they are probably not importing them at this time and since they are seasonal anyway...we probably will not see them again until next year.

[namxas]

Any word on if these are in season? Looking to buy one but LFS cant get them in my area.

Any tip on online retailers in stock would be appreciated.

It may be a bit late for this species...IIRC, we picked our trio up from the wholesaler in January a couple of years ago. They're indeed super fish.

[D5HP]

I have not seen any available since the quake in Japan. i believe these come from Japan so they are probably not importing them at this time and since they are seasonal anyway...we probably will not see them again until next year.

It may be a bit late for this species...IIRC, we picked our trio up from the wholesaler in January a couple of years ago. They're indeed super fish.

Ahhh shucks!

If you all don't mind disclosing: Is $250 still the going rate for these fish (retail)?

I have heard stories about them being available for $100 during season but I haven't ever seen any of the online retailers offering them.

[namxas]

The last price I saw on one was about $300 a couple of months ago.

[solitude127]

The last price I saw on one was about $300 a couple of months ago.

Was that at a LFS? If so, can you PM me the store?

[D5HP]

Was that at a LFS? If so, can you PM me the store?

Just called Ocean Gallery II in New Jersey asking about some and they have one in stock: $250.

I inquired about getting a a few of them and they seemed optimistic about me being able to order in a few.

I'm not ready for them yet I just wanted to know what they charged.

They ship as well and I've heard great things about them. Must be an awesome shop!

[namxas]

Was that at a LFS? If so, can you PM me the store?

To be honest, we go to so many LFS, I can't remember where we saw the fish. You might check OC Aquatics tho...they seem to have them every so often.

[seahorsedreams]

To be honest, we go to so many LFS, I can't remember where we saw the fish. You might check OC Aquatics tho...they seem to have them every so often.

I believe that's where we saw it.


----------------
Sent from Tapatalk, so please forgive grammar and spelling :-)

[chewey]

Just picked him up over the weekend from a friend of mine. Seems like that is the only way to get one of these beauties these days. My buddy had 2 in a sump for over a year! Other one jumped out and dried up. that was sad to see. I was really looking for a pair.


http://www.kodakgallery.com/imaging-site/services/doc/5576:285721992606/jpeg/BG/async